intentional neuroplasticity for flourishing parents
Parenting is an invitation to grow. 🌱
Flourishing kids are nurtured by flourishing parents.
And yet, parenting asks so much of us. It stirs up our oldest patterns: dysregulated reactions, our harsh, critical inner voices, and the dynamics from our own childhoods we swore we’d never repeat. The invitation isn’t to parent perfectly. That’s impossible. The invitation is to open ourselves to growth, and to let our kids expand us.
Even when you feel stuck in old patterns, change is possible. Our brains have a remarkable capacity to change. With deliberate practice and embodied learning, we can purposefully guide how our brains change. This is at the heart of our coaching — intentional neuroplasticity.
Well-Being & Parent Coaching 🪷 rooted in the science of flourishing
🌊 Turn insight into deliberate practice and embodied learning
🧠 Build new neural pathways of responding and being
🦋 Release old patterns that no longer serve you
As you cultivate intentional neuroplasticity, you may find more peace in the morning rush, more grace for mistakes, and more capacity for the inevitable meltdowns (yours and theirs).
You’re already a good enough parent — someone who loves deeply and is oriented toward growth. Coaching is a space to keep growing, with support, intention, and compassion.
Let’s intentionally wire our brains to flourish, so our kids can too.
Hello, I’m Dara — Certified Well-Being & Parenting Coach
(pronounced DARE-uh)
I’m a mom of two young, spirited kids, and I’m deeply curious about the science and soul of flourishing as a parent.
I’ve spent over a decade in the personal growth space. I trained as a coach, then as a psychotherapist, studying Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and somatic approaches. And still, nothing has stirred up my inner world like parenting.
My journey began from a place of “not good enough,” and parenting activated the parts of me that carry shame and guilt. The harshness I aimed at myself eventually rippled out toward my husband and our kids, leading to moments I wish I could take back.
Slowly (very slowly), I’ve cultivated more acceptance and compassion. What changed things most wasn’t getting parenting “right.” It was realizing that none of us are projects to be fixed. We’re all human, imperfect and beautiful souls, growing together.
I’m still drawn to growth, but my lens has shifted from “How can I fix what is wrong?” to “What makes growth possible right now?”
That question led me to the brain’s capacity to change. As I dove into neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative wisdom, I discovered neuroplasticity is always happening. Without awareness, we can mistakenly deepen the very patterns we want to let go of. The good news is we can guide this change through deliberate practice and embodied learning, intentionally grooving new neural pathways. This is the heart of my coaching — intentional neuroplasticity.
If you’re a parent who loves deeply, wants to keep growing, and is curious about intentional neuroplasticity, I’d love to connect.
Let’s flourish on this wild and precious parenting journey, together.
science & soul
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flourishing parents
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science & soul 〰️ flourishing parents 〰️
A bit about me.
I’m a multi-passionate human who has lived many chapters as a mother, psychotherapist, coach, brand marketer, and creative business founder.
You’ll often find me delighting in life’s simple wonders, dancing with my daughters and soaking in their laughter. Nature lights up my soul — I enjoy barefoot beach runs, ocean swims, yoga, and scenic bike rides. I’m also a voracious reader and believe books can accompany us on whatever journey we’re on.
Training & Certifications
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies & Communication, UC San Diego
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), California School of Professional Psychology
Certified Professional Co-Active® Coach (CPCC), ICF-Accredited Program
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level I Trained, IFS Institute
EMDR Trained, EMDR Institute
Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS) Training with LaDonna Silva, LMFT, Level 3 Certified Trainer
Certificate in Somatic Embodiment via Linda Thai, LMSW, Collectively Rooted
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Training via Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, Nick Wignall
🌱🧠 Flourishing Neuron 🪷✨
Science & soul for this wild and precious parenting journey. Together, let’s intentionally wire our brains to flourish, so our kids can too. Stay tuned!